Robert's story
The desire to travel is often seen as the urge to explore faraway places – a couple of months in Australia, six weeks in the Far East. But Robert’s sights are set much closer to home.
Admittedly, it helps that he lives in South Cumbria, with the spectacular Lake District and the glorious Yorkshire Dales on his doorstep.
“We go out walking every month – or a city visit to take in the sights,” he says. “Firstly, we’re enjoying the exercise, but we also make plenty of time for good food and drink.”
The “we” in this case is a former work colleague. Although it’s now four years since Robert retired, the monthly trips have remained a constant. “The most important aspect is the good company and the experiences,” he says. The pair document their outings on social media and have turned their tales into a series of books, aptly titled ‘Old Gits on Tour’!
Keeping active in retirement
But walking isn’t the only way Robert keeps active. “I enjoy a bit of adrenaline,” he says and lists cycle tours, sailing trips and even paragliding from the top of one of the highest mountains in Turkey as other escapades he has enjoyed.
An active life was a key element in his retirement plans. “The most successful retirees are those that retire to another life, not just retire,” he says.
“It’s hugely, hugely important to have a plan – the biggest challenge is filling the 40 or so hours that were previously spent working. I enjoyed my job, it was well paid and allowed me to do a number of different things; but the day I retired I stepped into a new life and I haven’t missed the job at all.”
Community spirit and careful budgeting
Describing himself as a “very social character”, quizzes and amateur theatre top the list of Robert’s hobbies – he’s chairman of the local panto society (oh no he isn’t!), and during lockdown kept busy with online quizzes for his friends.
It’s clear that careful budgeting was vital to achieving his current freedom. “It was my choice to retire at 62. I looked at all my outgoings, my income, and pension; and got my head round the fact that the savings I had put away were money for me to use.
Now is the time to enjoy life,” he says.
